Replacing CPU Fan - Do you also remove the heat paste?

corkyo4 · 30 Dec 2009 at 18:05

Hi,

Im gonna replace my CPU fan - never done that before.

I presume i need to also remove the heat paste too???

My new fan definitely has heat paste on it.

If i need to remove the paste from the CPU, whats the best way to do this??

Thanks

Tom

antipacker · 30 Dec 2009 at 18:06

rubbing alcohol and q-tips to get it off

HAz · 30 Dec 2009 at 18:45

may be no need to remove the heatsink at all!! so no need for paste

HAz · 30 Dec 2009 at 19:14

oh u said fan but now i think u mean the heatsink/fan lol. Wd40 works a treat in removing the paste, but if your not overclocking u might as well use the stuff u get with ya new one.

Google247 · 30 Dec 2009 at 19:19

HAz said:
oh u said fan but now i think u mean the heatsink/fan lol. Wd40 works a treat in removing the paste, but if your not overclocking u might as well use the stuff u get with ya new one.

I thought WD40 is the worst thing to use? leaves a greasy residue on the surface causing the paste not to get into the tiny microsopic holes.
when i clean i just use tissue paper thats it

does the job
Stefan

Danm54 · 30 Dec 2009 at 19:21

+1 for tissue, ive never bothered with alcohol wipes.

Subliminal Aura · 30 Dec 2009 at 21:42

first time ever using a TIM cleaner rather than improvising and must say that it did a better job than I had anticipated.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=OA-001-AK

Fred · 30 Dec 2009 at 21:59

This is what I use

Does exactly what it says on the tin

One product to clean off the old paste, and the other to prepare the surface for the new paste.

HAz · 31 Dec 2009 at 02:18

Google247 said:
I thought WD40 is the worst thing to use? leaves a greasy residue on the surface causing the paste not to get into the tiny microsopic holes.
when i clean i just use tissue paper thats it does the job
Stefan

nah in my experiances i t owns m8 lols

Speed · 31 Dec 2009 at 02:38

Get yourself some high purity Isopropyl Alcohol, had a can for years now and it is perfect for cleaning CPUs. As it evaporates it is perfect for cleaning of other electronics as well, motherboards, graphics cards etc.

bigjimmyauk · 31 Dec 2009 at 02:43

HAz said:
nah in my experiances i t owns m8 lols

WD 40 fills micro pouous surfaces so unless ur cpu and HS are super lapped you'd actually see increased temps as there would be hardly anyway to remove the man made oil from the valleys in the cpu and HS.

Trust me on this one.

Phal · 31 Dec 2009 at 11:59

Whilst there might be better methods than WD40 for cleaning heatsinks I doubt it would make that much difference.

The heat paste would still be in contact with the majority of the heatsink base and its not as if WD40 doesnt conduct heat :\ Some heat conductive pastes probably dont even get into those micro sized pores so perhaps itll improve conductivity?

lol

Either way unless someones actually tested this I wouldnt get my knickers in a twist over how to clean a heatsink

Simon42 · 31 Dec 2009 at 12:57

Fred said:
This is what I use

Does exactly what it says on the tin One product to clean off the old paste, and the other to prepare the surface for the new paste.

+1

Excellent stuff - the remover is better than Isopropyl Alcohol as getting old paste off.

Randomface74 · 31 Dec 2009 at 12:59

ArctiClean Thermal Material Remover and Surface Purifier - 60ml Kit []
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=TH-000-AC&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=27

An advanced user might also remove the paste from the cooler and apply their own paste - but you don't have to.